Pathogenicity and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV—A quick overview and comparison with other emerging viruses

TLDR

A zoonotic coronavirus, 2019‑nCoV, was identified as the cause of the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak, appears less pathogenic than SARS and MERS, and its transmissibility remains uncertain. The study aims to summarize current knowledge of 2019‑nCoV pathogenicity and transmissibility, compare it with other emerging viruses, and identify information needed for better disease control. The authors review existing data on 2019‑nCoV pathogenicity and transmissibility and compare it with other emerging viruses. The review finds that 2019‑nCoV is less pathogenic than SARS and MERS, its transmissibility is still uncertain, and key information gaps must be addressed for effective control.

Abstract

A zoonotic coronavirus, tentatively labeled as 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been identified as the causative agent of the viral pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. Although 2019-nCoV can cause a severe respiratory illness like SARS and MERS, evidence from clinics suggested that 2019-nCoV is generally less pathogenic than SARS-CoV, and much less than MERS-CoV. The transmissibility of 2019-nCoV is still debated and needs to be further assessed. To avoid the 2019-nCoV outbreak turning into an epidemic or even a pandemic and to minimize the mortality rate, China activated emergency response procedures, but much remains to be learned about the features of the virus to refine the risk assessment and response. Here, the current knowledge in 2019-nCoV pathogenicity and transmissibility is summarized in comparison with several commonly known emerging viruses, and information urgently needed for a better control of the disease is highlighted.